Day 3 Part 2 Tue Jun 8

(This is a continuation of the Day 3 info.)

On the way to the second stop, we glimpsed the Roman Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda from the bus. These are relatively famous landmarks in Thessaloniki, but we did not stop and view them.

Second stop at about 10:00 - The White Tower. This is the most famous landmark in Thessaloniki, close to the waterfront. Built by the Ottomans sometime shortly after 1430, it replaced an older Byzantine tower which dated to the 12th century. The tower was part of the walls of the old city of Thessaloniki, standing at the corner of the East wall and the Southern (sea) wall.

Back on the bus at 10:25 and off to our next stop. On the way, we pass the Tower of Telecommunication, which has on it's upper level a coffee shop inside a round disc. This rotates one full revolution in 60 minutes.

Our destination is the Church of Saint Sophia (divine wisdom). This is more of a traditional basilica with 3 aisles, but it is a transitional building because it has a dome, which regular basilicas do not have. Built in possibly late seventh but more probably early to mid eight century. The decorations (frescos & icons) are from the ninth century. We were not allowed to take pictures there plus we were on a short time frame.

Back on the bus at 11:10 and off to our next stop, the Acropolis of Thessaloniki. Acropolis is the highest part of any city. We saw the best section of preserved walls on the way, which is a section of the East Wall. Arriving at the Acropolis, we had a great view of the city, took some pictures, and had a short break at a coffee shop.

Back on the bus at about 12:00 and off to our next stop, in Vergina. We drove west for about 45 minutes on the new Via Eganitia, which is a new toll road built along the old Roman Road which Paul used. Pastor Wayne used this time to have us examine Acts 17:1-9 and apply the Biblical study principles of: 1. Observation, 2. Interpretation, 3. Correlation, 4. Application. We stopped at a nice place in Vergina for lunch.

After lunch, we walked about three or four minutes to the Tombs of Vergina. A professor of history in Athens worked to excavate a Tel (mound or small hill) which was in Vergina, because the Vergina area was known to be the burial sites for the royal family of Macedonia. He found lots of common burial plots, but he also found four tombs which appeared to be associated with royalty. Two of the tombs had been plundered, and very little was found. The other two tombs were royal, and because of several clues, it is believed that one of the tombs was of Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great, and the other tomb was of a Young Prince, thought to be Alexander the Fourth, son of Alexander the Great. These tombs were not disturbed, and had lots of great treasures -- lots of gold in forms of crowns, necklaces, burial chests, jewelry, and gilding on other items. Also armor, weapons, and other artifacts. Some good frescos on the insides and outsides of the tombs. Phillip's tomb had lots of marble ot the entrance, the doors, threshold, and entrance area. This is important because the marble is not native to the area of Vergina, and had to be imported. Phillip's tomb also had a second room where the remains of a woman, thought to be Kleopatra (not the Egyptian) who was assassinated immediately after her husband.

Back to the bus at about 2:45/3:00 and over to Veria (ancient Beroea). This is the place referenced in Acts 17:10-15. There was a nice memorial there that commemorated Paul's preaching. We took some pictures and examined Acts 17:10-15 for a few minutes. Then we returned to the bus and back to the Capsis Hotel in Thessaloniki about 5:30. Some people explored/walked the area of Thessaloniki, I took a swim in the hotel pool which was on the roof. We had dinner at the hotel at 7:45, packed, and got ready for the next day. We had to have the luggage which is to be packed on the bus out in the halls at 7:30, and have our 'carry-on' and be ready to go at 8:15.

*Dale*